Rating: 
Summary: An ode to authenticity
Review: Local Hero is appealing on many levels. There is, of course, the wondeful quirky story and characters, the music, the off-kilter British humor, and the magnificent scenery. But I think that the reason I love this movie, and to me the real beauty of the film is watching what happens to Riegert. His Macintyre, a young, efficient corporate executive, is a man fully immersed in his time, his place, and his role. The time is the 1980s-the greed decade, some have billed it. The place is Knox Oil, Houston. His role at the firm and in his life is that of a hard boiled deal maker. And at the end of the day, he returns home to his luxury high rise, where he lives alone with his answering machine. Macintyre lives a life that's less than genuine, and on the deepest level, he knows it. But in Furness, we can see Macintyre's hard shell crack -- the result of his spending time in this authentic place-the power of Furness' pounding surf almost literally wears away his layers. When his walls are broken what's revealed for all of us to see, then, is nothing less than his true self. We can see it, for instance, in Macintyre's eyes as he laughs with Gordon, the Inn's proprietare over a drink during the high-stepping Scottish dance, and we can even see it in his hands when he empties his pockets of the sandy shells he's collected. I think that like Mac, most of us have forgotten or buried some part of our authentic selves, and that part of us quietly lays dormant. It might be buried from trying to mold ourselves to fit into some stultifying corporation, as with Macintyre. Or it could be from trying to live some other kind of unsatisfying life that's not in synch with who we really are. So, I think we can all hope that something like what happens to Mac will happen to us, or--be grateful that it already has. Mac's journey evokes T.S. Elliot's words: "We shall not cease from exploration. And at the end of all of our exploring, will be to arrive where we started. And know the place for the first time."
Rating:
Summary: Perhaps the best, most enduring comedy of the '80s.
Review: A joy. A marvel. A bit of magic. A wee taste of Scots whimsy. "Local Hero" is what film-making should be all about. It is forever enshrined in my all-time Top 10 list -- and I was film critic for more than a decade. Everything is perfect. But rather than repeat all of the other equally laudatory reviews of this little masterpiece, I will cite only one additional proof of "Local Hero's" genius: Mark Knopfler's gorgeous soundtrack. Buy the soundtrack CD, too!
Rating:
Summary: 10 out of five
Review: I thought it was just me? Obviously not! Its great to know so many other people have been amazed by this fantastic movie. It is truly one of a kind. A gem.
Rating:
Summary: My favorite movie of all-time
Review: I won't bore anyone with a synopsis of the film, great quotes from the dialogue, or how this movie made me nostalgiac for my non-existent Scottish relatives. Suffice to say this is my favorite movie of all time, and as time passes its charms and deeply felt truths only grow stronger. It's the best film Bill Forsyth ever did. It's the best film Peter Reigert ever did. It serves as a much better coda to Burt Lancaster's superb career than his somewhat syrupy ten minutes onscreen in Field of Dreams. (Not only is he great in this film, but watch how much he's clearly enjoying himself.) Most of all, it's the rare movie that is almost perfectly paced, perfectly plotted, and a perfect length. It walks the fine line of sentiment, romance, and satire without going too far in either of those directions. And the final scene never fails to make me misty. What else is there to say except: how jealous I am of those who had a role in making this film. They helped create this masterpiece, and clearly there are lots of us out there who are extremely thankful for it.
Rating:
Summary: A brilliant, subtle gem
Review: When do you first realize that this is a different film? Perhaps when oil tycoon Burt Lancaster sleeps (snoring loudly) during a meeting, the sycophants in the room whispering to them (and us) the basic exposition of the plot. A brilliant and different way to both set the stage and introduce the true nature of a character. Or when you realize that he cares far more about astronomy and comets ("comets are important") than oil. Or the charming little town in Scotland that can't wait to sell out, each of them fantasizing how they'll spend their share. The expected roles, the cliches about how stereotypes are supposed to act, are tossed away. There is something enthralling in that alone. The transformation of Mac, brilliantly played by Peter Reigert, is both heartwarming and ultimately so incredibly human. Perhaps the most surprising and satisfying aspect of this movie is its creation of a sense of place. You get to know the village, and what seemed at first odd and quirky grew -- like it did for Mac -- into the comfortable and the expected. Each character is a gem, from the capitalist Russian singing about Texas (Mac's home) to the shopkeeper, to Urqhuart and his wife, both totally in love with each other... ah, one can go on and on. A friend and I have a test for this movie: If the final scene is heartwrenching and perfect, you got it. If it's merely cute, see it a few more times. Like other reviewers, a few favorite scenes and quotes: The extraordinary, nearly magical entrance of Happer to the Scottish beach. Goosebump city. Happer's initial examination of the beach. "It's a good place... well done, MacIntyre." The two scientist who proudly say that the refinery will survive the next ice age. "It was a clean break... check the bones." Mac sniffing the seashells in his Houston apartment. "If he mentions anything to do with sand, say yes." "Oh my god... IT'S BLUE ALL OVER! " Urquhart asking his roofer to stop, then when his wife comes in the room, telling the roofer he can start up again. Or Marina showing up suddenly an unexpectedly in a shimmering white dress, so completely different than the rubber diving suit she'd worn in previous scenes. Frankly, it's hard to think of a scene that isn't a gem. nor characters who add both to the "sense of place" or are individually memorable. Peter Reigert holds it together, his Mac being both the foil and our eyes. As he changes we change along with him. The creators of Northern Exposure have cited this movie as one of their inspirations, and it shows. One hopes that other people in The Industry will look at this gem in a similar way.
Rating:
Summary: VIEWER IN NEW JERSEY
Review: This wonderful little movie is difficult to discribe and is probably best left to just enjoy. The starkley beautiful setting, unique characters and understated dialog make for a haunty and funny mood, as well as tale well told. It is one of the few films I go back and view regularly. There is so much of the tale left to the viewers imagination that you continue to ponder the people you met there long after the movie is over.
Rating:
Summary: Viewed it 6 + times - yes it's that good, Brit/Amer Humor!
Review: I knew this would be a great one from the beginning. Characters fill into many roles and there in lies the confusion as a Texas Oil employee (driven by company and US culture of) tries to get in and out of the "BIG DEAL" without a hair missing from his worsted wool suit. Peter is good at any role, it's a given.. Burt is refreshingly fun to watch and these are only the names you may recognize! Between the stock savy Russian and the boat that has no name.. yes it's a romp and a fun one!
Rating:
Summary: Perfect, Flawless, Sublime, etc.
Review: Most movies on video don't hold up. You buy them, watch them once, maybe twice, and put them away, because they say nothing to your soul. Local Hero is not and could never be in that category. For those who haven't seen it, the film is an experience waiting to be discovered. For the discouraged psyche, battered by modern day living, bombarded by the arrows of disillusion, it is regenerating and crystallizes in the mind and heart that which is important. Discover this movie today and be refreshed. Some favorite moments: The quiet of Happer's executive office. McIntire using a phone to invite a secretary out for a going away drink, when she is not 20 feet away and visible through a glass wall. The plane ride over. The drive to the coast. The early morning arrival at the village with a lone dog blocking the street. "It's never locked." Urquhart bouncing on his chair as Andrew resumes his work on the roof. That silly dining room music. The church pastor. The fisherman painting his boat. The motorcycle on the quay. Urquhart dancing with his wife. McIntire cleaning his shells. McIntire and Viktor on the pier. Stella looking into the sky at McIntire's helicopter. Every beach scene. Every scene at Ben's house. That red phone box. Pretty much every damn scene, come to think of it.
Rating:
Summary: My Favorite Movie of All Time
Review:
I saw this movie eight times when it was in the theaters!
Such a charming movie. It is so unfortunate that much of the world has never seen it, and probably never will. Don't miss out. Go ahead and buy it. You won't regret it.
(Unless you are a total action junkie. Then you'll be mad because you don't actually get to see them bombing the beach, no one actually gets run over by the motorcyle, only one Russian invades the town, and Morritz doesn't fall off the building. But hey, Morina does have a nice pair of lungs, and the rabbit's name was Trudy. What more can you ask for.)
Take care...
Rating:
Summary: This film is an classic
Review: I first saw this film twice at a college theater in the Summer of '83. It was so good I sat through another showing that night. This film gets better everytime you see it. The location, soundtrack by Mark Knopfler are excellent. What ever happened to Peter Riegert? He is an underappreciated actor.
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